Madame Lacelooper, and say that
her little matter will be discharged at a future day. His balance, he
was surprised to find, did not enable him to meet it today; and he
further regretted that a very disagreeable affair having sprung up
between the Emperor of the French and his government, requiring for a
few days all the attention of the establishment, deprived him of the
opportunity of repairing to his banker's for the purpose of enlarging
his deposit. Ordering an attendant to bring in the treaties of 1812,
he added how sorry he was to give Madame Lacelooper, for whom he
entertained the highest regard, so much trouble. Legations were
peculiarly situated at times, he said. In reply to an intimation from
the gentleman in waiting, he said, gentlemen of the diplomatic corps
never paid in piecemeal. Here Thomas would put an end to the comedy by
announcing the arrival of the '_Minister for Foreign Affairs_,' and
politely bowing out the retiring gentleman, who, you may well imagine,
maintained a reluctant gravity. There was no end of these little
diplomatic comediettas, while Bolt honored the mission with his
presence, ending in what was long afterwards esteemed a capital joke,
which, though somewhat against my feelings, I will confidentially
relate. Bolt had named a certain day when all his little affairs would
positively be arranged, and this dawned of a calm and sunny autumn
morning, when everything about the Legation seemed to repose in peace
and quietness--when wars and obdurate creditors were forgotten, and we
plumed ourselves on the happy issue of several important international
questions. One very important member of the corps, however, seemed to
have something of great importance evolving in his mind; this was the
sagacious Thomas, who paced the hall with more than ordinary
superciliousness, now and then arranging his livery in the
mirror. About eleven o'clock there came a great gathering of
serious-looking individuals at the hall door; among them the quick eye
of Thomas discovered the following very respectable gentlemen,
viz.:--Broadwood, of the firm of Broadwood & Willow; Dole, the
distinguished wine merchant; Staple, the bootmaker; Madame
Lacelooper's man of business; and Peppers, the jeweller. The opening
of the door was succeeded by a great rush. Having expressed some
surprise at their mistake in calling so early, Thomas received his
visitors with his customary equanimity, and begged to remind them that
three